You would know him if I told you his name. He was a great man of God looking back on his life.
Years ago he said to me, “I feel as though big chunks of my life have been stolen from me.”
Mind you, this man had done legendary things for God. The pain in his heart was palpable. He went on, “America is a mess and I have little time left. How I wish I were a younger man!”
What I did next still shocks me. I blurted out, “BUT YOU ARE A YOUNGER MAN!”
I had no idea what I was saying. But that outburst gave me the most motivating truth of my life.
Can we get back the years that the enemy has stolen?
God taught me how to take back the years the Devil had stolen.
As a result, I learned to stay on fire and burn with energy that is greater than men half my age.
Right now, a lot of people are looking back on their lives and feeling that many years have been stolen from them. They recount scenes of besetting sins, betrayal, calamity, sickness, and just plain mistakes that stole years of their lives.
Can we get back the years that the enemy has stolen?
Caleb is our model for getting back the years that were stolen.
First, read these verses and then see the formula.
Joshua 14:10-11, “And now, behold, the Lord has kept me alive, as He said, these forty-five years, ever since the Lord spoke this word to Moses while Israel wandered in the wilderness; and now, here I am this day, eighty-five years old. As yet I am as strong this day as on the day that Moses sent me; just as my strength was then, so now is my strength for war, both for going out (to war) and for coming (back) in.”
1. Declare that God is your strength. Caleb said, “God has kept me alive.” Your years and your human strength do not have the final say.
Let God burn out fatigue, regret, and false limitations. Isaiah 40:31, “But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.”
For example, a friend suggested that at my age I should retire. I asked him, “Why? Did the Devil quit?”
And go to war in prayer! Seize God’s promise to restore life. Romans 8: “But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.”
2. Find a fresh vision. Caleb asked for a mountain filled with giants when he was eighty five. Do not merely settle for restored energy—what you are after is a total revolution in your mind and body. Prepare to be sent on a mission that defies your age. Fresh vision obliterates depression. Don’t let doubters rob your vision.
For example, a friend suggested that at my age I should retire. I asked him, “Why? Did the Devil quit?”
Not only that, but your body will respond. Strength and energy will spike. King David was bedridden. 1 Kings 1:1, “Now King David was old, advanced in years; and they put covers on him, but he could not get warm.”
In fact, they even put a beautiful young woman in there with him! But nothing moved him.
But then the news came that the Kingdom was threatened. Instead of Solomon becoming king, the fool Adonijah declared himself king. That thought was so horrifying and enraging that David rose up out of his bed a renewed warrior—and yes, a younger man. He made Solomon king!
The war is still on. It is not your doctor, your family, or your therapist who knows how much fight is left in you—it’s the God of war who knows.
A wise man once said, “The greatest fear in the world is of the opinions of others. And the moment you are unafraid of the crowd you are no longer a sheep, you become a lion. A great roar arises in your heart, the roar of freedom.”
Nothing will extend your life like the passion to leave an inheritance and a godly nation.
And while you are at it, demand added time for unfinished business. Psalm 90:15, “Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, for as many years as we have seen trouble.” This verse, attributed to Moses, is a clear call for extra years.
Now we come to the most important life-extender!
3. Leave something for your children and grandchildren. Nothing will extend your life like the passion to leave an inheritance and a godly nation.
David said, “Now also, when I am old and gray headed, O God, do not forsake me, until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to everyone who is to come” (Psalm 71:18).
I believe that great men and women have been kept alive by their passion to impart a legacy to the next generation. So long as they stubbornly mentored, imparted, and wrote great works of wisdom, it kept them alive.
The bottom line is, you are not done—not by a long shot. Pray, plan, and pursue God, expecting to receive unique gifts that will help us all to overcome the evil of our time! Take back the years that Satan has stolen from you.
Awesome!
Thank you Mario, I as always needed to read and hear this!🙏🔥❤
Thank you MARIO I NEED EXTRA YRS TO PRAY FOR ME AND FAMILY TO BE SAVED
AMEN!!!!
Awesome, Mario. Thank you. Way to keep lighting the path for others. May God continue to use and bless you mightily.
Thank you Mario. I believe The Lord sent this as the encouragement and answer I have been pondering.
Bless you. I’m joining your ROAR!
YES and amen 🙏
We are in our early 70’s and preparing to turn our church in Germany over to a young man who grew up in our church. That’s good news, but we have absolutely no idea what we are to do now…where to go? This was a good devotional for us!
That’s strong.
Amen! Let everything that has breath Praise His Name, Jesus!
THANK YOU Mario! I wanted to go to Bible College when I was 18. My parents thought dental hygienistry was more practical. Thankfully I avoided that destiny and they let me train as a graphic designer. Then I became a florist,next a self taught interior designer, and an image consultant on the side. But guess what?! At 77 1/2 I’m working on my doctoral thesis in theology and discipling young adults. I was born for this and all the “wasted” years are the treasure chest of experiences with the Lord and studying His Word that the Lord draws from to pour into the next generation that may be the ones to stand strong until He comes. God Bless you Mario, you’ve come through the fire and through the flood and God has brought you out into a broad place where you have more to offer than ever. There’s no retirement in the Bible or God’s kingdom. We go from strength to strength and from glory to glory. As is so often sung at your meetings “Look what the Lord has done”!
What an inspiration. I’m 70 and 1/2 and was thinking I have at least 20 years left. I will start my 2nd year of bible school in September. The Lord has plans for my life even though I’ve messed them up several time. Maybe I’ll go 30 more years only the Lord knows, but, it will all be for the Lord.
Thank you for your testimony. I’m 70 and had planned to go to bible college and enter ministry. At 17 years of age, my wonderful father was killed in an automobile accident by a drunk driver. Needless to say my life took a drastic turn in the wrong direction. Made bad decisions which cost many years of heartbreak. After coming back to the Lord, I realized how much time Satan had stolen. I’ve been seeking and believing for an extended healthy life to help mentor the younger generation in God!
You and I are the same age and have carried our passions similarly!
How encouraging to hear from another when I have been praying for years to “finish well”…and our Lord is in reply with wonderful surprises! May He continue to renew our youth as the eagle and restore whatever years eaten by locusts. Amen.
Excellent word!
Note it’s Psalm 90:15, not 90:2
Thank you. It is corrected.
Amen! Thank you!
Mario, the old Canadian again who loves America the timing of your message is so encouraging, through our Church we feed those who are at their wits end, slowly I started to engage in conversation then build up the courage to pray over them now it’s just taken off in such an impossible way it can only be God! I have been so angry at the wasted years in the wrong church but now I know it’s never too late thank you for the encouragement to keep going
I would suggest that you add a translation plugin to your site. The article is very good and this would extend its reach.
Amen! To You Lord God, let us not give in, let us not grow weary, let us take back what the enemy stole, let us run this race with perseverance, faith that pleases You! Revelation 7:12; “ Amen, Blessing, Glory, Wisdom, Thanksgiving, Honor, Power and Might belong to our God forever and ever, Amen! God Almighty, spur in us to see Your deliverance, Your Kingdom to come here on earth as it is in heaven!
Amen snd Amen!
Amen and Amen!!! I’m 86 years old and the Lord is getting me equipped for something big for His kingdom so I have to go deeper and higher with Him. It’s somewhat difficult and lots of people may not understand my path but He does and I answer first of all to Him. Roar you mighty men and women of God and take back what has been stolen in this beloved nation!!! I dare you to dream again!!!
Right on Mario. Im 75 years old and had a supernatural encounter 3 months ago that brought a supernatural alignment with the Lord. Old thinking was torched and burned up. New thinking and new speaking and new faith and new authority and new identity was imparted and new hope with no doubt and unbelief. Out of a tunnel and into the sunshine. I heard a a preacher recently who has passed on say if you please Jesus it doesn’t matter who you displease..The Lord is going to encounter some of his older saints in 2026 and change them and encounter them and revive them. They will become like Caleb and taking ground from the enemy like they have never before. No more I’m too old thinking but a renewed supernatural strength but a fresh James 4:7 Im submitting to God and his word and Im resisting the devil and his lies and he is fleeing from me.
A few years ago an elder in a church I was attending said to me, “You and I are older than others here, our time is coming to a close,” which stunned me, I didn’t say it at the time but my immediate thought was If you ever have, you should never preach from Joshua chapter 14 again.
As an older man who has made mistakes that a computer would have trouble tabulating, missed opportunities and like many dealt with ongoing health issues, God has shown me that my reason for being on this earth is right now. to become seperate from the world knowing it’s nothing of ourselves but all done by the power of the Holy Spirit for the sake of the glorious name 3 John 1:17.
The beauty for those of us in our older years, who maybe like me have come to an end to a large degree of our own will, (sometimes it takes time to realise that nothing of human origin ever works, even though we know it doesn’t,) causing us to trust more in the Lord and his leading in our lives.
It took God forty years to get Moses out of Moses, for Moses to become nothing and God to become everything. For all of us as older citizens this can be our moment in time, leaving our mistakes and disappointments behind, yet realising the lessons they have taught us. For these years to become the most effective, relational and joyful years of our lives, for the revelation of Jesus Christ to the glory of God. It will be amazing what God can do through us.
Mario is correct. You are not dead until you’re dead. I was declared dead at eighteen months from drowning in a well. Amazingly, I am still going strong at seventy-eight. God has asked me to build a refuge for women and girls with problem pregnancies. I have just completed a book called God’s Sure Thing Turning Point, in honor of Charlie Kirk, which should be available from Amazon next week. I have used a pseudonym, Malachi Patrick Carroll, to protect the innocent and spare the guilty. For a book of more than four hundred pages and one hundred and sixty thousand words, I consider it inexpensive at twenty dollars. Jesus said to give to him who asks you, and I have done that all my life, so I don’t have the money to build that refuge. I may have it if enough people purchase the book. There are many avenues to serving God, and Mario Murillo is one of God’s vanguards; enjoy a book with a difference, and allow me to be a mini-Charlie Kirk.
Amen and amen, happy new year Mario! Inspiring and true, seeing through the eyes of God, Psalm 105:37 “He brought them forth also with silver and gold: and there was not one feeble person among their tribes”.
The joy of the Lord is our strength!
Psalm 92: 12-14 the [uncompromisingly] righteous shall flourish like the palm tree [be long-lived, stately, upright, useful, and fruitful]; they shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon [majestic, stable, durable, and incorruptible] 13 Planted in the house of the Lord, they shall flourish in the courts of our God. 14 [Growing in grace] they shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be full of sap [of spiritual vitality] and [rich in the] verdure [of trust, love, and contentment].
YES YES YES!! Thank you Brother Mario!! I agree with the Word of God! Your insight has resonated with me, especially when I look around at my peers in church who are agreeing with “oh, I am just getting old” and just letting the youth (God Bless them) run. No! We will run with them, I WILL RUN WITH THEM!! IN JESUS’ NAME!
Yes and amen! This absolutely resonates in my spirit! I cringe inwardly every time I hear Christians claim and profess the frailties of old age for themselves. Those are lies of the enemy, the rotten fruit of Adam’s and Eve’s fall that brought sin and sickness into the world. Thank you for this powerful, encouraging word!
God (continue to) bless you, and Happy New Year!
Thank you Mario,fir your message of encouragement. I am 85 the 5th of January, and have back and knees that have held me back for almost 2 years.i have been praying 🙏 for God to use me once again, for His purpose for me,to finish strong and where. God bless you my friend 🧡
Thank you for this great word! I am 64 and have been praying that my youth would be renewed and God would give me a clear vision for the future work He has for me to do. The time is short! Jesus is coming!
Thank You Mario! GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS YOU MIGHTLY!!! I am 69. And know the best is here now. ♥️
Thank you, Lord Jesus!
YES AND AMEN THANK YOU JESUS HALLELUJAH AND AMEN!!!!!!!!
Very timely msg to us senior citizens that God is NEVER finished with us as long as we are on this earth. We are useful for the Kingdom until our last breath. His empowerment and fresh vision wil ALWAYS set the course for us. We can’t give up; we must refire not retire. Thank you for this Bro. Mario.
Thanks for getting back to the Gospel and not Politics this week
Thank you for inspiring me to press forward!
Mario thank you for this message from God. God just spoke to me loud and clear. I will overcome by the blood of the lamb and pursue what God has called me to do. In good health. For greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world. 1John 4:4
I’ve never been really sick a day in my life but at 80 have had 2 heart surgeries in the last six weeks. The devil is trying to tell me that I’m done and not able to keep pace anymore. It’s a lie! Thanks for the anointed reminder Mario. Maybe I’ll even be able to help volunteer for another tent crusade.
Thank you for this timely word! It is exactly what I needed for this time in my life. God is so good!
The eternal life believers in Christ receive the moment we are reborn is the moment we enter the kingdom of God, the moment we are a temple for His Holy presence.
I’m a retired public school teacher who has been in His kingdom for 51 years, and the fire of His presence grows stronger with each day. It is this unquenchable Holy Spirit fire that I see in your ministry, Mario, and in those young folks that Charlie Kirk was commissioned to evangelize.
Yes, this eternal life is not bound by the age of our flesh; it is an everlasting love for the King and energized by our kingdom work.
America will be saved! And the nations of this world belong to the King of Glory—Jesus the Christ!
Thank you!!!! This was a much needed word for me today. May God abundantly bless you and your family and ministry in the new year.
Thank you, Mario. This is exactly what I needed. I was asking God in prayer if I was done (I don’t want to be) and you have provided the answer. I am now 75 years young, looking for my mountain.
Thanks for the encouragement!
What a wonderful article. I am going to share with my 80 year old friends if that’s ok.
Thank You
Please share it!
Amen 🙏!!! Thank you brother Mario for such a powerful reminder !! Have a blessed New Year and may God continue to keep you strong and keep giving you favor everywhere and in everything you do ! 🙏❤️🎈🎊
Thank you Mario.
Thank you for this encouraging word! It is a great reminder that we MUST purpose in our hearts to continually seek and pursue the LORD; too remember that we have power and authority over the devil through Christ Jesus our Lord. For He is King of kings and LORD of lords and nothing is impossible for Him!
Just in time. I decided yesterday it’s too much trouble to keep going. Praise God. Bless you
Great message Mario! Very timely! Caleb is one of my heroes. I am 88 years young and I want to finish strong!
This is 100% encouraging to me. I continually “remind” God that I ain’t getting younger and I’ve a big dream to fill. He will give me unending strength, clarity of
mind and wings of eagles to do all He wants me to do. Thank You, Jesus and thank
you Mario for this truth!
I am 74 years old and still pastoring. This article is like you woke up this morning in my head. This was the Word of the Lord to my wife and I. We are not done!!! We fight on until the sword has to be pried away from our hands!!!
Thankyou a word from God for me … I am ready to step out and step up to whatever His plan is..nothing better than an adventure beyond my imagination with the King of Kings.
Today is my happy birthday–69 years young. What a birthday gift! I receive this as a word straight from God. I believe the BEST of my life for Him is yet to come! GREAT things of God are coming in 2026! “One Who breaks open the way will go up before them; they will break through the gate and go out. Their King will pass through before them, the Lord at their head.” Micah 2:13 NIV
Lead on, King Jesus! Onward, Christian soldiers, with the Lion of Judah breaker anointing!
Right on, your messages have been right on the mark. Keep them coming.
Perfectly said Mario. Some of us who are in the final stretch are stronger now than when we were first redeemed.
This is one of the most remarkable writings I have ever read. At 82 right now, I know I still have much to do for God and family. Bless you Mario with magnificent strength. I saw you when you were just a babe on TBN, and once at least you spoke at gospel echoes in Phoenix
How relevant to my life right now! I am 72 and in an Assisted Living Center. But I am refueling to take my center for Jesus in revival! We have started a Bible study for these dear ones, and it is growing weekly. I am not done! I may use a walker, but I am not done! Vineyard Park Assisted Living is coming to Jesus!
Dear Sir, This post is LIFE GIVING! This 83 yrs young woman “pulls” on Caleb’s
Words to Joshua as he asked for the hill country! I am in my 60th teaching year: 52 of which have been spent educating His kiddos in grades K4 – 4. He deserves all the credit, glory, and honor for
this fruitful, rewarding adventure!
Mario, I thought I was going to read a blog and instead got direction on how to reclaim my years. Thank you.
I now have a new goal—to become a lion, and I know how to do it based on this quote: “The greatest fear in the world is of the opinions of others. And the moment you are unafraid of the crowd, you are no longer a sheep; you become a lion. A great roar arises in your heart, the roar of freedom.”
Thank you for helping me to end the year empowered for Christ.
May you experience in 2026 what Moses and David experienced when people brought gold and gifts to build the house of the Lord—the people gave willingly and extravagantly.
Blessing you with God’s highest and best for 2026.
When I turned 80, I believe the LORD said now I was beginning…I’ve shared the Gospel in the U.S. and other countries, but this was my beginning, at 5 years old, audibly, I heard, I’VE called you to be an endtime prophet, confirmed later by ,Bishop Bill Haman to mentor the mentors,to shepperd the shepherds and disciple the disciples…long life…Shalom Shalom, I’m almost 82 now…doors of utterance are opening
Thank you Mario, for your timely direct personal encouragement to me!
I know that you wrote this to a multitude of others, But it was to me as a direct message and specific for me to walk in. Thank you!
If you only knew how timely this message is! I cried when I read it. I am 71 and called to start something very big that I have not the natural ability or resources for. Discouragement had set it. Thank you for the encouragement.
My friends and I pray the Calebite annointing on our lives all the time. People think I am 50 years old or younger. What a enjoyable laugh. We need all of the body to rise up this Calebite annointing. Praise God.
Love this
Dear brother Mario, thank you for your message. Reading your message I felt that Adonai Yeshua HaMashiach and Abba Father is answering and confirming my thoughts. May Abba Father bless your ministry abundantly. I pray that no weapons forged against you will prevail and every tongue rises against you in judgement, you will condemn and Yeshua will contend with him who contend with you. May the Holy Spirit fill you, saturate you, permeate you. May the seven Spirits-the Spirit of YHVH, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and of the reverential be upon you and everyone who labor with you and our nation. May Abba Father preserve our nation for His glory. In Yeshua’s name I prayed amen and amen
This blog is much needed. Especially in the time we are in. The enemy of our soul is no longer in the closet. It’s time for the church to make its move. Time is short. My prayer is for my restoration, so I can be used where God wants to use me. Amen
Dear Brother Mario,
Glory to God, hallelujah! Your article put words to the passion in my heart for this next phase of life I’m in. I’m only 71 years young and know I have more work to do for the kingdom of God, especially regarding my young grandchildren, maybe other kids, who need loving biblical guidance to get through this lost world. Amen, and amen to those scriptures you quoted! God’s word is “living and active and always accomplishes His purposes”, regardless of our age! In fact, He doesn’t look at our age, He looks at our hearts.
Ps. 92:14 -15 says, “ They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, the Lord is upright. He is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him.” NIV
Keep up the good work, brother!
Awesome Word!!!!
I Receive it all Brother Mario! HALLELUJAH!!!
The prophet Joel spoke about God restoring lost years too.
“I will restore to you the years which the swarming locust has eaten, . . . Joel 2:25 RSV
Great word to start the new year. Much work for watchmen to do next year! Keep up the great work
Who was this man you said we’d know? I wouldn’t think any less of him, if you revealed his name.
Thank you brother Mario! I needed this word of encouragement. I came home early from all night prayer, in my heart thinking the young can take up the slack. Realizing after your blog that ‘I be the young’. 😏
As someone who is about to turn 25 for the third time, I confess today I am strong for war, for going out and for coming in like Caleb in Jos 14:10-11. And may the Lord grant recovery of all like David in 1Sa 30:17-19. The Lord has let me live for such a time as this. Bless His holy name! And bless you Mario, you and your family!
The timing of this is just what on I needed. Today is my 78th birthday but I feel like God has been speaking to me about college ministry since we now live in a college town.
Exactly my prayers this morning! Praise God for confirmation.
GOD HAS CALLED US TO BE BOLD.. STAND IN FAITH AND SPEAK THE TRUTH IN LOVE. THE ENEMY IS COMING FOR OUR CHILDREN AND IT IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO PROTECT THEM FROM ANYONE WHO SPEAKS LIES FROM THE PIT OF HELL. WE GIVE ALL THE PRAISE AND GLORY TO OUR HEAVENLY FATHER AS WE AWAIT HIS RETURN 🙌🙌🙌
Amazing Word…Just What We All Need To Hear!As Always May Your Ministry Continue To Bring The World Your Testimonies of Salvation Redemption and Miracles,Signs andWonders!..I Am A Partner and commit My Continued Financial Support,in Jesus Mighty Matchless Name,Amen!
Amazing Word…Just What We All Need To Hear!As Always May Your Ministry Continue To Bring The World Your Testimonies of Salvation Redemption and Miracles,Signs andWonders!..
Awesome blog, Brother Mario. Have been claiming these same scriptural principals for years and can personally acclaim that IT WORKS! When we live GOD’s way, it enriches our lives and lifts us to new levels in Him. Vibrant, motivated living. Hallelujah!!!
Life is all about The Lord God, our Abba Father, Poppa, Daddy! Amen
Thank you Brother! Blessings
Yes and amen brother – I wondered for years how GOD wanted to use me…then I retired and learned at his feet how to pray for my house and the generations that follow me.I used to say “ Lord / I am a lover and not a fighter,but if you want me to fight-please teach me how. He answered and showed me the way to fight/ in the Spirit realm! Praise GOD for his Holy Spirit that helps us in our weaknesses and prays through us! We have mighty warfare weapons if only we will use them -as it is written “ be it unto you according to your faith! Thank you brother Mario / you got me all fired up again!!!
Brother Mario you have indeed struck upon something that is so very often overlooked and that is the Elder Generation. This subject is dear to my heart because it has been ignited in me to be one who carries a burning message to the elder followers of Christ that were given a vision from the Lord when they were young and they have yet to see its fulfillment in the earth. In Isaiah 59 the last verse speaks of a time when three generations will begin to speak the same Word from the Lord in unity. Then in Isaiah 60 we see the results of this union and the it says,1 “Arise, shine;
For your light has come!
And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you.
2 For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth,
And deep darkness the people;
But the Lord will arise over you,
And His glory will be seen upon you.
3 The Gentiles shall come to your light,
And kings to the brightness of your rising.
4 “Lift up your eyes all around, and see:
They all gather together, they come to you;
Your sons shall come from afar,
And your daughters shall be nursed at your side.
5 Then you shall see and become radiant,
And your heart shall swell with joy;
We are there right now at 59:21!
Mario, what about for those of us who are barren of children? Prayed always for them, we thought at times they would come but never did. This life seems sterile and a waste with no life or laughter or future grandchildren to look forward to now as we approach 50, much less a legacy to leave behind in these to shape the world for God after us.